The first match of Party Versus Event A began.
Since only parties of five can enter this event, how many teams are actually participating?
In theory, up to eight teams could participate, but in practice, that never happens.
My party consists of ten people in total, yet there is only one participating team.
At this point, reaching the maximum of eight teams is impossible.
Sumu’s party has fifteen members, but considering their abilities and motivation, it seems unlikely they would field three separate teams to hit that cap.
There are sixteen male survivors in total, but how many of them, scattered across the island, were able to regroup before the event started?
Regardless, we cannot secure a “Return Right” unless we win every single match.
“Shinhou and Genchu, I’m leaving base defense to you. Genchu, transform into your beast form.”
“Understood.”
“U-um…!”
“The enemy is at the start point too, just like us. Shouko, ride on Mashiros’ back and sniff out where the humans are. The enemy’s base will be in that direction.”
“Got it!”
“Chi-i, get on Mikuron’s back with me. If anything happens, I’ll need you to cast ‘Strength Boost.’” “Mm. Understood.”
We confirmed the plan swiftly and initiated our movements without delay.
Mikuron straddles her childhood friend, urging them to gallop after Mashiro, who has already taken the lead.
The forest scenery blurs past at a breathtaking speed. “Sousuke! It’s about time!”
“I get it! Mashiro, Mikuron, count on us!”
If there was one major concern regarding this event, it would be the issue of: ‘Can we attack our classmates?’
Even if the mysterious blackboard explained that no actual physical harm would occur, that wouldn’t necessarily erase the hesitation felt at attacking a person.
This wasn’t through a game screen; we were fighting familiar faces in their usual appearances.
To get past this hurdle, I considered relying on Suko’s summoned beasts—a method that might be considered somewhat underhanded.
“Sena, from here until the match ends, don’t let off on ‘Strength Boost’ or ‘Intermediate Cure.’ ” “Mm. Leave it to me.”
I didn’t want to place the burden solely on the illusory beasts out of guilt, so I was prepared to act myself if necessary.
“U-ughhh! It’s coming again!”
“That’s cheating! What are we supposed to do with a knife like this?!”
What came into view were two boys in ragged, disheveled attire.
One of them went limp and fell, so I dropped Stone Cage on him to immobilize him, just like I did in the last event.
The other one charged forward, screaming, “Fuck! I don’t want to be here for another second, let alone a whole day!”
Mashiro deftly sidestepped at the last second and gave him a gentle push with her body.
But the result was far from gentle.
It was exactly like those movie scenes where a guy gets hit by a bus and flies through the air.
The knife-wielding guy shot back as if it were a joke, slammed into a nearby tree, slid down to the ground, and lay there motionless.
“U-uh… is he okay?”
“It’s fine. That thing is like an avatar.”
Seno said this to Mameko, who was looking anxious.
“I know, I heard the rules too, but seeing it happen… Ah, it’s not Mashiro’s fault.
Thank you for fighting in my place,” Mameko hastily stroked Mashiro.
Before long, the enemy’s Base came into view.
“Fuck! What the hell are they doing!”
“Dude, that big wolf—what the hell was that!? A dragon?! This is way too hard!”
Standing before our base camp were two guys, again looking completely wrecked.
One wielded a thick branch as a staff, while the other held a crude-looking handmade stone axe.
It seems they’d acquired some new weapons on this island.
But unfortunately, neither was up to the task of handling a chimera.
But what worried me more was—
Where was the last one?
In an instant, Mashiro barked while staring up and to my left.
“Die…!”
Someone seemed to be leaping down from a nearby tree.
In that guy’s hand was a wooden spear. It didn’t have a tip on the shaft… or rather, he’d sharpened the end to ensure penetration.
Looking closely, it was the pistol guy from before.
He came falling down toward me, spear aimed my way.
Thanks to 『Strength Boost』, I caught the oncoming spear and yanked him down to the ground.
“Gah…!?”
It should have taken a substantial amount of damage, but this time the body sustained no physical damage; instead, its movements simply grew slower and slower.
It seemed it could still move, as the bastard rose to his feet.
I tried to neutralize it with the Stone Cage, but the need for that vanished.
Thwack.
Just like one would swat down a bug, the tail of the Black Dragon, Mikron, lashed out.
“Gyaah…”!
With a short cry of pain, the former pistol-wielder was launched into the distance, disappearing from sight.
“Ah… thanks, Mikron.”
Mikron snorted, as if to say, You annoying bastard!
He seemed angry that the man had targeted me for his actions.
As we turned our gaze back toward our base camp, the remaining two men dropped their weapons and raised both hands in surrender.
“Sousuke, can I leave this to Mashi-ro?”
“Yeah.”
When Mashi-ro gave three light taps with her forepaws, the enemy’s stronghold crumbled into ruins.
“Ugh… when are we going home, all of us?”
「Give up, man. We’re stuck on this desert island for life…」
Watching the two boys wallow in despair made me feel like I was doing something wrong, but I brushed the thought away.
Ceding victory to them would only delay my comrades’ return.
If I had to choose, I would choose my friends. And once that choice was made, there was no room for hesitation.
Still, I didn’t want to leave my classmates suffering. So I decided to propose the trade mediated by Miss Luminus as soon as possible.
Once their food, clothing, and shelter were secured, they would undoubtedly be in a much calmer state of mind than before.
Just as I was thinking this, my vision turned blindingly white—and before I knew it, I had been thrown into a white space.
It was the usual setting with a blackboard and desks, but only the members of our team had been transported here.
“We won…! Everyone, you did amazing.”
“It really was incredible. We didn’t even have to do anything.”
Shenhō and Genchū celebrated their victory for us.
“Game one has concluded.”
『Party A』 vs 『Party B』 — Winner: 『Party A』
The words materialized on the blackboard.
“We’re ‘Party A,’ aren’t we?”
“The second match has ended.
“Winner of the match between ‘Party C’ and ‘Party D’ is… ‘Party C’” “Hm?
Isn’t that pretty quick?”
Shouko tilts her head in confusion.
“Maybe they were running them simultaneously? Well, in that case, it would mean they wrapped up over there in a record pace too.”
At the start of the matches, the crystal floating in the air had displayed “First Match.”
Though simultaneous, it seems our match was treated as the first because our team name ranked lower, while C and D became the second.
“Or maybe the flow of time is being adjusted in this space?”
“Ah, that’s a possibility too.”
We feel like only a few minutes have passed since we were teleported here, but perhaps thirty minutes or so had elapsed at the venue for the second match… such things are possible.
Even if the actual match durations differ, adjustments by this space make it appear to our perception that they concluded simultaneously.
”…The fact that there was no specific announcement means there are only four teams in total, right?”
“There will be four participating parties.”
The answer from the mysterious blackboard.
With twenty people across four parties, it means half the class is participating.
Considering the situation on this island, that’s quite a lot.
”……So, if I go three for three, that’s when I get my reward, right?”
At Genchu’s words, I nodded. “That’s how it looks.”
For some reason, just hearing that made her cheeks flush.
—The Dream Realm had said Genchu took a liking to me, but……
It was true we were in the same class during first year, but I couldn’t recall anything specific.
“At this pace, I’ll sweep the whole thing.”
“That’s right! If you go undefeated, you can grab five ‘Return Rights’!”
“I suppose so. Since I pulled Mr. Tana away from the party to join this event, I won’t be able to claim the bonus this time.”
Luminous, who was added as extra personnel, is a companion whose inclusion grants various benefits.
One of those perks increases the number of ‘Return Rights’ earned from event rewards by one.
However, participating in this specific event required the party size to be exactly five.
Because he had to withdraw temporarily to accommodate that process, it was decided that the reward multiplier wouldn’t apply this time.
“Besides, an event where you fight other students would be too harsh for Mr. Luminous anyway, so it can’t be helped.”
I already possess a ‘Right of Return,’ but I’m informed that duplicate shares can be transferred free of charge.
In other words, if we clear this event, six out of the ten participants will secure the right to return to Japan.
“The preparations for the third match are complete.”
Just as text appeared on the blackboard, my vision flooded with white once more, and we found ourselves back in the forest.
“Basically, the strategy remains the same. Let’s go.”
It was unclear whether we’d face the male team again or compete against participants from the Seihou party.
Regardless of who our opponent was, I couldn’t afford to lose.
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